waiter

noun

wait·​er ˈwā-tər How to pronounce waiter (audio)
Synonyms of waiternext
1
: one that waits on another
especially : a person who waits tables (as in a restaurant)
2
: a tray on which something (such as a tea service) is carried : salver

Synonyms of waiter

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Examples of waiter in a Sentence

waiters at that elegant restaurant must go through an extended training program before being allowed to serve customers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two years ago, her brother Erick went to work as a waiter at a party. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Some fans traveled from other states, while others paid hundreds of dollars to have line-waiters save spots for them. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026 At the time of the June 2024 post, Jensen was working as a bartender and waiter. — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 Both waiters and watchers then make a beeline back to their original spaces, often losing out to another parker and driving around some more. — Norman Steisel, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for waiter

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of waiter was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing waiter

Rhymes for waiter

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Browse Nearby Words

Waite
waiter
waitering
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Cite this Entry

“Waiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waiter. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

waiter

noun
wait·​er ˈwāt-ər How to pronounce waiter (audio)
: one that waits
especially : a person who waits tables (as in a restaurant)

More from Merriam-Webster on waiter

Nglish: Translation of waiter for Spanish Speakers

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